Very Early morning last week we left Manila and drove south to this quiet community. Verdana Homes is a perfect location. It has the quient ambience once can only find in provinces, but not far enough from the bustling metropolis.

The community boasts of complete facilities for the entire family. A basketball court, Badminton court, skating rink, a large clubhouse, a lap pool, and a smaller pool for the kids. There areas also that have been appointed as picnic grounds for the weekend family bonding. And for the healt buffs, there is also a jogging trail for your early morning routine.

And as what they at the Verdana Homes Maplasan say, “It’s easy to be a family here!”

Click here to learn more about the Verdana Homes Mamplasan project

WARNING!!! If you are reading this from another blog, it is possible that this has been copied without my permission. BYAHILO: Ito ang Trip Ko!

BYAHILO strolling at the South of Manila

This is a Street Dancing competition with prizes ranging from 100,000.00 to 500,000.00 open to City Cultural Groups.

Among those who have committed to join the Festival Parade are Cebu City Mayor Tommy Osmeña, Talisay City (Cebu) Mayor Soc Fernandez, Lapu-lapu City Mayor Art Radaza, Bacolod City Mayor Bing Leonardia, Makati City Mayor Jojo Binay, Silay City Mayor Oti Montelibano, Isabela City (Basilan) Mayor Chery Acbar, Marikina City Mayor Marides Fernando, Navotas City Mayor Toby Tiangco and San Carlos City Mayor Bong Lacson.

Other cities with cultural contingents who will be visited by Councilor Cristina Romualdez are Iloilo, Dumaguete, Bais, Kabankalan, Cadiz, Cagayan de Oro, Surigao and Butuan.

Under the leadership of Tacloban City Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez, the SANGYAW FESTIVAL 2008 – a revival of the Santo Niño Festival sponsored by Former Firs Lady Imelda Marcos – will hopefully put Tacloban back on the tourist map.

Although Sangyaw Festival is just in its maiden edition, its prizes are already at par with some of the country’s largest festivals.

Here’s a glimpse of what the contingents will be vying for:

Best CONTINGENT
* First Prize: P500,000.00 & Trophy
* 2nd Prize: 300,000.00 & Trophy
* 3rd Prize: 200,000.00 & Trophy

Best in CHOREOGRAPHY
First prize P30,000.00 & Trophy
Second Prize 20,000.00 & Trophy
Third Prize 10,000.00 & Trophy

Best in STREETDANCING
* First Prize P200,000.00 & Trophy
* 2nd Prize 100,000.00 & Trophy
* 3rd Prize 50,000.00 & Trophy

Best in Music
First Prize P 20,000.00 & Trophy

Best in Costume
First Prize P 50,000.00 & Trophy

This years Sangyaw Festival 2008 in Tacloban City will be held on June 29, 2008

Source http://tacloban.gov.ph/sangyaw.php

WARNING!!! If you are reading this from another blog, it is possible that this has been copied without my permission. BYAHILO: Ito ang Trip Ko!

Top Philippine Festivals confirm participation to the Sangyaw Festival 2008 in Tacloban City

This year’s Independence day celebrations will be held on JUNE 9, 2008. This is in accordance to the Presidential Proclamation 1463 which complements the Republic Act 9492 (RA 9492).

The Presidential Proclamation issued February 18, 2008 lists down the complete lists of holidays, including those that were moved. The Feast if Eidl Fitr, however, has no date set yet since this event varies based on the lunar calendar as observed by our Muslim brother. If I am not mistaken the Feast of Eidl Fit’r or the last day of the Holy Month of Ramadan has also been declared as a regular holiday, thus, double pay for those who will work on this date.

And because of this holiday economics policy, one can now plan ahead of time out of town trips. A 3 days 2 nights adventure in the island paradise of Boracay is now possible. Or a quite relaxation in Coron Palawan is no longer a dream. Or just have a long long long rest and relaxation at home.

Download the List of Philippine Holidays for 2008 here

WARNING!!! If you are reading this from another blog, it is possible that this has been copied without my permission. BYAHILO: Ito ang Trip Ko!

Philippine Independence Day 2008 and List of other Philippine Legal and Special Holidays 2008

It was a cocktail event as mentioned in the invitation, thus I need to dress up appropriately. Definitely no board shorts T shirts and flip flops for me.

Upon arrival at the Crowne Plaza Ortigas we were treated to a free back massage courtesy of the Spa’s friendly staff. At around 7PM, the program started with a short demo showing us how their new services works. Dinner was then served. Superbly cooked Afro-Mediterranean dishes were served. I love their couscous. But the pork loin is the best. Their vegetables were perfectly done too. Not to mention their sinfully delicious desserts.

And after everybody got filled and satisfied, the main event came: the arrival of ABS CBN star Piolo Pascual and GMA’s Dyesebel star Marian Rivera. Thank God there were no screaming fans at the venue. Everybody’s well behaved, or probably have been controlling their selves from doing embarassing acts.

After the short program we were given the chance to have a photo op with them. Of course I did fall in line too! Hehe

WARNING!!! If you are reading this from another blog, it is possible that this has been copied without my permission. BYAHILO: Ito ang Trip Ko!

Brief Encounters with celebrities ABS CBN’s Piolo Pascual and GMA Network Dyesebel Marian Rivera

I first blogged about the 2008 World Pyro Olympics sometime December 31, 2007 or January 1st 2008. THAT EARLY. Because the Google Gods would love to place on top of the search engine results articles that were written well ahead of scheduled events.

But Lo and Behold! For reasons we do not know, the organizers of the Pyroolympics is SM Mall of Asia (MOA), La Mancha Productions has moved the fireworks event in Manila countless times. So the interest of the people has also popped like a bubble.

So finally, here comes the merry month of May. And the Pyro Olympics in MOA has finally pushed through! Wooohoo! But wait. Aren’t the organizers aware that the month of May is also the start of the wet season in the Philippines?

So last weekend, the 2nd week of the World Pyro Olympics continued at the SM Mall of Asia, just behind the San Miguel by the Bay park.

At 5:30PM rain started to fall, and I started to worry. I remembered the opening Week of the fireworks show in Mall of Asia last May 3 was also rained. An hour later rainfall got heavier dark clouds covered the Manila skies lightning thunder became the main show.

At the strike of 7:30PM the first country, Canada started its interplay of unique colors and formations through its fireworks. The show must go on even on heavy rains. Then an hour and a half later, France made their display.

All I all, I was not really satisfied with the show. I am expecting a much better performance knowing that this is the Greatest show on Earth, as the organizers promised.

Another disappointment is that the entire back portion of the Mall of Asia has been sealed off unlike during the previous years. This means you now have to pay 150Pesos just top see this fireworks event. Last year it was only a hundred pesos.

So as expected, there was no horrendous traffic jam which stretches as far as Guadalupe in Makati City. There was no elbow-to-elbow crowd. In fact, I can even do a cartwheel on the venue without hurting another person. The crowd volume is so thin compared to last year.

I just hope that the crowd would still pick up on the remaining 3 shows. But that remains to be seen.

WARNING!!! If you are reading this from another blog, it is possible that this has been copied without my permission. BYAHILO: Ito ang Trip Ko!

World Pyro Olympics 2008 Week 2